No confirmation on reported Baynes signing

Still awaiting official word on this as of 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning, but there are multiple reports trickling out of Europe that the Spurs, in true out-of-left field Spurs fashion, have signed Australian center Aron Baynes to a multi-year deal. (NOTE: The initial version of this post had incorrectly referred to Baynes as hailing from New Zealand.)

Baynes had been playing well in the Slovenian league, averaging 13.8 points and 9.8 rebounds with Union Olimpija — incidentally, the same club Danny Green played for in 2011. Listed at 6-10, 250 pounds in college, Baynes averaged 8.7 points and 5.4 rebounds in four seasons at Washington State.

TalkBasket.net reports that the Spurs paid a $400,000 buyout for Baynes’ rights. If so, it’s difficult to see how an unpolished big could be counted on to contribute immediately after jumping from one of Europe’s minor leagues at mid-season.

A more likely possibility is insurance against a potential move — say, power forward DeJuan Blair, whose playing time has all but disappeared this season. In that scenario, the Spurs could use the remainder of this campaign, summer league and training camp leading into next season as an extended tryout for Baynes before his contract — which would almost certainly be non-guaranteed — locks in next winter.

Of course, that’s all speculation, and it’s looking like we might have to wait until Gregg Popovich’s availability tonight to get any kind of official comment — or perhaps just a blank state, with just a hint of scowl.